<![CDATA[Dental students experience significant stress due to academic demands, with examinations being a primary acute stressor. Academic stress activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and sympathetic nervous system (SNS), leading to cortisol and chromogranin A (CgA) secretion. This study investigated the changes in salivary cortisol and chromogranin A levels in dental students before and after examinations. A pre-experimental one-group pre-test and post-test design was conducted with 32 dental students in May-June 2025. Saliva samples were collected one hour before and two days after the examination. Cortisol and Chromogranin A concentrations were analysed using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Subjective stress was assessed with a 46-item academic stress self-report questionnaire comprising eight domains and demonstrating established validity and reliability. Results showed higher mean salivary cortisol levels before the examination (11.03 ng/mL) compared to after (10.64 ng/mL). Similarly, mean Chromogranin A levels were elevated prior to the examination (34.63 pg/mL) versus post-examination (33.32 pg/mL). Paired t-test analysis confirmed a significant difference (p < 0.001) in both cortisol and Chromogranin A levels between the pre- and post-examination periods. These findings suggest that examinations induce acute stress, leading to increased cortisol and Chromogranin A levels.]]>
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